MEDITATION… AN ENIGMA WITHIN!
‘Meditation’… what do you feel in your heart and think in your mind when you hear this word? It has been a revered concept for thousands of years in India—praised by yogis, prescribed by psychologists, and practiced by millions. Yet, it still remains an enigma for most of us. Why?
In my practice, I often notice that when a patient or client is advised to meditate, their initial reaction is hesitation. Even if they begin, many leave the process midway. Some feel they are wasting time, some get bored, others become skeptical about the results—while a few truly get interested.
I am not an expert on the subject, but I do have my own perspective. If you feel any emotion toward the word ‘meditation’—whether fascination or aversion—read on.
Why Do Many People Resist Meditation?
1. “We loathe our own company.”
This may sound unrealistic—and some might stop reading right here because the statement triggers discomfort. But those who continue know there’s an element of truth in it. Meditation means confronting our own selves—not just our light, but our shadows too.
Most of us are constantly surrounded by noise—conversations, screens, and endless thoughts. When we sit silently, we come face-to-face with our own mind, the most dreaded entity. Suppressed emotions, fears, and traumas begin to surface. Instead of peace, one first experiences restlessness and discomfort. We then return to our familiar distractions for comfort. Meditation is not an escape; it is an encounter—with your naked self. This is one of the most common reasons people resist it.
2. No instant gratification.
In this digital era, we are conditioned for instant gratification. We glorify speed—fast internet, fast delivery, quick results. Meditation, on the other hand, requires patience, discipline, and subtle awareness. You may not ‘see’ any results after the first session. For those addicted to dopamine rushes from scrolling or emotional eating, meditation feels boring.
3. “Aaram haram hai.”
When constant struggle is glorified, rest feels counterproductive. Sitting still and doing ‘nothing’ seems like a waste of time. Many feel guilty for not being ‘productive’ and equate stillness with laziness. But meditation is not inactivity—it is inner activity. It takes time and patience to understand this, and in that process, many give up.
4. Restlessness.
You’ll agree that our conscious mind behaves like a monkey. When we sit quietly, this monkey becomes restless. In today’s world of overstimulation, it’s a drunken monkey—jumping from one thought to another. The moment restlessness becomes unbearable, we give up and dismiss meditation as “not for me.”
5. Unrealistic expectations.
Many people expect instant bliss from meditation, forgetting that to reach that state, they must face their inner demons. Unrealistic expectations and the inability to face discomfort lead to disappointment. They start believing they’re doing it ‘wrong’ or compare themselves with others. The truth is—meditation isn’t about having no thoughts; it’s about not being controlled by them.
6. Fear of ‘loss’.
Deep meditation involves losing the sense of ‘I’. For some, this is liberating; for others, terrifying. The ego feeds on activity and identity—it dreads silence. It resists surrender till the end because it fears losing its grip. But we are not our egos; we are something beyond. The glimpse of that “beyond” can feel threatening to one’s familiar mental structure.
7. Cultural disconnect.
Many associate meditation with yogis, monks, or spiritual renunciates and dismiss it as impractical. They forget that everyone has a restless mind that needs taming. Meditation is a tool for mental hygiene—just as brushing teeth is for dental hygiene.
In essence, meditation asks for stillness in a world addicted to motion, patience in a world addicted to results, and self-honesty in a world addicted to distraction.
That’s why it’s disliked by many—not because it’s unpleasant, but because it quietly reveals the discomfort we’ve been hiding beneath constant activity.
To bask in the bliss of mindlessness, we must first face Beelzebub—the chaos created by our own mind. Only then, my friends, will meditation cease to be an enigma and become an answer.
© Dr. Sonal Wagh Varma
Homoeopath | Pain Relief Consultant | Reiki Healer | EFT Practitioner | Akashic Healer
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